Company

Cox Automotive - USAVehicle OperationsSr Manager, Dealer ServicesSr Manager - People LeaderNo remote option; must work at a specified Cox locationYes, 5% of the timeDay

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary of $87,200.00 - $130,800.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

The Sr. Manager Dealer Services will support a high-volume location Manheim physical site with high touch accounts with significant financial impact and may oversee additional client-facing departments.

• Leads team to develop and determine the optimal sales strategy for client vehicles across both physical and digital sales channels.

• Leads and directs supervisors/managers to optimize work volumes and staffing levels, ensuring operational efficiency and excellent customer service.

• Drives team development by reviewing performance indicators and implementing improvement strategies. Implements a robust performance management process aligned with organizational expectations and utilizes tools for goal accomplishment.

• Acts as a Manager-Level escalation point for complex customer issues and fosters transparent communication to collaborate with customers and various Manheim groups, ensuring smooth operational and administrative sales processes.

• Maintains positive relationships with all site/market customers, develops new business, and provides quality service.

PRIMARY DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITES

• The Sr. Manager role involves a higher level of strategic leadership, oversight, and responsibility for the overall operation of the department. It includes a more significant focus on relationship management, strategic reporting, and advocating for team needs at a higher organizational level.

• Manages and provides direction to managers on work volumes, planning, and continuous monitoring of staffing levels to ensure efficiency, work quality, prioritization, and superior customer service.

• Prepares reports for executive leadership, tracking strategic goal accomplishment, and reporting progress to stakeholders.

• Proactively reviews performance data, including financial, sales, and activity reports to monitor and measure departmental productivity and provide strategic and consultative insights to stakeholders.

• Serves as the key point of contact for both internal and external clients, addressing escalations and inquiries. Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with clients to ensure a superior and positive client experience.

• Develops and recommends solutions for clients that are mutually rewarding using Cox Automotive products, services, and resources.

• Consults with clients on recommended digital sales strategies to post vehicles using Cox Automotive channels.

• Utilizing a deep understanding of the automotive business and clients’ business models, strategically align Cox Automotive’s suite of products and services to ensure client success.

• Strategically lead and maintain transparent communication by disseminating organization information effectively through comprehensive means, including department meetings, one-on-one sessions, targeted email communications, Teams chats, and regular interpersonal engagements. As a Senior Manager, ensure that communication practices align with the organization's overarching goals, fostering a culture of openness and collaboration across various channels.

• As a Senior Manager, spearhead the holistic development of the team by conducting in-depth reviews of performance against key indicators, strategically formulating, and executing improvement strategies. Simultaneously, foster a high-performing team through strategic recruitment, orientation, training, and supervision. Delegate tasks and establish deadlines to optimize team efficiency. Take a leadership role in cultivating an employee-oriented company culture, emphasizing quality, continuous improvement, and key employee retention.

• Collaborates with other departments, physical sites, and leadership – ensuring ongoing communication, coordination of activities and a high quality of customer service both internally and externally.

• Partner with outside sales teams to develop new client accounts and increase volume with existing clients through proactive outreach. Utilize strong relationships and a consultative approach with clients to address concerns and fulfill requests to ensure client success.

• Spearhead the comprehensive development of the team, encompassing the review of team performance against indicators, strategic development, and execution of improvement strategies. Simultaneously, cultivate a high-performing team by recruiting, orienting, training, and supervising staff, providing educational opportunities, and offering counsel or discipline when necessary.

• Implement a robust performance management and development process, aligning with organizational expectations for productivity, quality, continuous improvement, and goal accomplishment using tools and daily metric goals. Develop and nurture team members’ strengths and identifying areas for improvement through encouragement with goal setting, feedback, employee recognition, rewards, and performance development planning.

• Maintain transparent communication. Appropriately communicate organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, Teams chats, and regular interpersonal communication.

• Visibly demonstrate safety commitment by following all safety and health procedures and modeling the behaviors related to such. Work in cooperation with safety leadership in support of all safety activities aligned with Safety Excellence.

• Perform any other duties assigned.

Required Experience & Specialized Knowledge and skills

• Equivalent combination of education and work-related experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 8+ years of progressive experience in outside sales and service, automotive, auction, wholesale internet sales a plus. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 6 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and up to 3 years of experience; or 12 years’ experience in a related field.

• At least 3 years’ experience in a management/leadership role with a proven track record of success.

• Experience in the automobile industry or the auction business preferred.

• Customer service experience required.

• Experience coaching and leading others required.

• Ability to foster productive and professional internal and external business relationships required.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills required.

• Strong interpersonal skills required.

• Strong ability to problem-solve and de-escalate heated situations required.

• Strong organizational skills required.

• Proficient computer software skills necessary. Must possess basic Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook skills.

• Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

• Ability to perform repetitive data entry tasks, manual dexterity.

• Vision abilities required include close, distance and depth perception.

To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry-leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people-centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page. Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.